Nigerian security forces have rescued more than 300 individuals who were abducted in separate attacks, marking what the country's presidency described as its largest single-day operation.
The operation involved the military, police, intelligence unit, and the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, leading to the liberation of victims from the Kainji Lake National Park in Niger State. Among those freed were 163 people abducted during a February attack on the Woro community in Kwara State, where scores were killed. An additional 145 individuals had been taken captive in Niger State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed the successful rescue of the 308 citizens, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga calling it "the largest rescue operation ever carried out" in a single day. Tinubu indicated the operation demonstrated improved coordination among Nigeria's security agencies.
The Woro community attack saw armed jihadists demanding that residents renounce the Nigerian government and constitution in favor of their own teachings, an attempt to impose a parallel system of governance. Amnesty International reported that many of the deceased victims were found with their hands and feet tied, some with slit throats and others shot dead. The Nigerian government has attributed the attack to Boko Haram, though the jihadist group has not issued a statement.
This rescue follows a recent operation that freed 44 pupils and teachers abducted during a school attack in Oyo State after more than 50 days in captivity. The series of abductions in parts of north-central and southern Nigeria has amplified concerns about the spread of insecurity beyond traditional conflict zones.